Ennara and the Book of Shadows by Angela Myron

When strange accidents start happening around thirteen year-old necromancer Ennara and her friends, she must search for the mysterious stolen artifacts causing the attacks while learning the highest form of magic–the spells that could prevent the fruition of a terrible prophecy.

Ennara dashed through the statue’s legs to the center of the room. This would be her one chance to get it right.

First, the Source. She focused on the clear light that was the source of all—the central possibility that made her world and her magic.

Then, the enlightened ones. The familiar tinkling filled the air once more. The dim room brightened slightly.

Finally, the creature before her. Kelach the Knight, a symbol of the gift of protection, twisted by dark magic into a force of violent abandon. Ennara visualized the hero of legend, standing firm at the tunnels of the Royal Way to ensure the people of Ililsa escaped the troll, goblin and wraith army of the Fallen Druid Ardewynn.

A sense of peace, strength and determination settled on her. The giant statue turned and raised his ax once more. He hesitated mid-swing. Was her meditation working? Ennara refocused, calling on the Great Protector’s spirit.

A column of orange-red light burst into the room above her, momentarily enshrouding the statue and herself. When it vanished, the room had shifted. She was no longer conjuring the great protector, she was the great protector.

A deep, hearty voice filled her mind. Fear not, Ennara. Touch this damned image of my former self. It will be freed from its dark curse.

Warm courage flooded her. Her stomach relaxed, her shoulders fell. The massive stone figure roared as it plunged its huge angular blade down. Ennara breathed deeply into her belly. She took a small step back and raised her hand. She lightly toughed the stone ax as it swung inches from her face.

An orange-red shimmer crossed the stone, rippling through the statue. The monster’s fierce expression softened, transforming once more into the courageous legendary soldier. He seemed to regard her briefly, an intelligence crossing behind those blank eyes, and returned to inanimate rock.

Ennara looked to her friends. She’d found the key to unlocking the spell on the statues. Now she just had to use it on the others before it was too late.

My review:

This is such a cute series! I recommend reading the first book The Fallen Druid before you read this one but the author does a pretty good job catching you up. It could be read as a stand alone.

Ennara is a spunky, teenage necromancer that is trying to navigate her social life and her magic. She has awesome friends surrounding her and I loved the chemistry between all the characters. I feel for Ennara though. Imagine not only trying to navigate you teenage years but also dealing with dark magic with in you? She wants to be a healer but weird things happen when she tries (think Zombie Plants).

This is an adorable series and as soon as my daughter who’s eight is a bit older I am definitely going to be introducing the series to her.

About the author:

Angela Myron was born in Vancouver, Canada in 1973. She grew up in the piney forests of southern British Columbia, studying tiny blue bells, dodging hidden cacti, and creating fantasy worlds in her back yard. She loved to imagine lands of fairies and goblins, then invite friends over to introduce them.

Angela studied biology and professional writing at university, starting her degree at the University of Victoria in Canada and finishing it at San Francisco State University. She wrote grant proposals for nonprofits, technical manuals for software, and freelance journalism before writing fiction.

Angela will be awarding a the winners choice of one of the following prizes (international giveaway — All photos used from Etsy shops that she plans to purchase the gifts from. Actual gift will be sourced from winner’s country and will likely look different for international winners):

Dragon earcuff. A tiny dragon that wraps around your ear just like Ennara’s wraps around her wrist! Ennara would not approve.